Bug ID? Heliopsis Lorraine

[steg]

Does anyone recognize what is on this plant? Little tiny red colored bugs?

Wish I got a better picture, but didn't feel like getting good camera, camera phone was handy.....

Thanks,
Steg

[steg]

how about a little better editing of photo.....

[Carol O]

They look like bright red aphids to me, but I've never seen red ones before.

https://www.google.com/search?q=red+aph ... 40&bih=787

[party_music50]

I agree they look like aphids but in a color I've never seen.

[Linda P]

I have seen these now and again. Here's the Wikipedia explanation of the color:

Some species of aphids have acquired the ability to synthesise red carotenoids, by horizontal gene transfer from fungi.[36] This allows otherwise green aphids to be coloured red. Other than the two-spotted spider mites[37] aphids are the only known member of the animal kingdom with the ability to synthesise carotenoids.

A team of researchers at the Sophia Agrobiotech Institute in Sophia Antipolis in France, have suggested that carotenoids may absorb solar energy and convert it to ATP. This is the first example of photoheterotrophy in animals. The carotene pigments in aphids form a layer close to the surface of the cuticle, where it is ideally placed to absorb sunlight. The excited carotenoids seem to reduce NAD to NADH which can then be oxidized in the mitochondria for energy. It is unclear why aphids should find it necessary to develop this source of energy when their diet provides them with an excess of sugars. [38]

[Chris_W]

Yup, these are regular aphids that turn red when they feed on Heliopsis. Just treat for aphids with just about any insecticide and you can also blast them off with a jet of water, though I typically like to do both by dusting with sevin and then washing that off later.

[steg]

Thanks everyone. I'll take care of them.